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Thursday December^ 1997 Vol. CXXXII, No. 65
Headlines
Women of Troy to face Santa Barbara
After an 84-55 blowout victory over Long Beach State to open the season, the USC women's basketball team faces an upstart UC Santa Barbara team that narrowly upset No. 5 Florida last week.
Sports, page 16
This 'Titanic' won't sink
James Cameron's "Titanic" is one of the most spectacular movies to emerge in recent years, and is unlike other big-budget productions.
Film Editor Scott Foundas reviews the upcoming film.
Diversions, page 7
Finding God with the flip of a coin
Often bordering on harassment, the recruiting tactics of some religious organizations on and off campus have led Viewpoint Writer Christi Schuler to wonder if faith is discovered or sold.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.L
DPS safety escorts, book signing
in support of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Montn, the Department of Public Safety started offering "Operation Santa's Sleigh Ride' this week.
The program in cooperation with L.A. Taxi Co-Op, provides free transportation to members of the university community to their homes if they have nad too much to drink on either of the university's campuses.
For more information, call (213)740-4375.
• ••
James Ragan, USC professor and author of "Womb Weary," "In the Talking Hours" and "The Hunger Wall" will read excerpts from his new book, "Lusions," today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tyler Pavillion in VKC.
A book signing will follow the reading.
For more information, contact the bookstore at (213)740-9030.
Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Campus service groups merge
Consolidation expected to cut costs, improve coordination between university departments
By Daniel Pasquini
Staff Writer
In an attempt to save money and improve usage efficiency, the telecommunications, university libraries and computing services departments have agreed to merge and consolidate into one department, the Information Services Division.
The merger, already in progress, should take full effect
by the middle of next semester, said Jerry Campbell, chief information officer of the Information Services Division.
Campbell said that under the new setup, there will be less duplicated work, no new employees and more coordination, therefore creating more efficiency and budget savings.
"Under the current setup, the division between the units was firm," Campbell said. "If you
needed two units, you were kind of on your own to coordinate it."
One of the improvements of the new organization is that students will nave to call only one telephone number for help rather than two or more. The one call would then be directed to the proper department, Campbell said. The new campus number will be in operation next semester when the division is complete.
Jim Pepin, executive director of University Computing Services, referred to the new organization as a "unified front of nelping people out with infor-
mation employees would have more continuity in their tasks, Pepin said, allowing them
mation." With the merger, infor-
greater opportunity to help students.
At this point, many students are unaware of the change. Mike Choi, a freshman majoring in biology, did not know about the merger, but said, "I hope it makes it easier to figure tnings out and answer all our questions."
Campbell acknowledged that students have had problems and concerns, especially regarding the telecommunications network.
"We hope the only things stu-(Scf Merge, page 3)
Hydrocarbon institute celebrates 20th anniversary
By Chris Dcnina
Staff Writor
The Loker Hydrocarbon Institute (LHI), part of the university's chemistry department, celebrated its 20th anniversary recently in a two-day scientific symposium at the Davidson Conference Center. Over 300 scientists attended the event, an LHI spokesman said.
The event also celebrated the 70th birthday of Dr. George Olah, director of the institute and winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize for his work with hydrocarbons. Many who attended came from Japan, Germany and Australia, said Robert Aniszfeld, associate director of LHI.
Many of the 300 doctoral and post-doctoral students who were taught by Olah and have since graduated were invited to attend.
"They're here as a sort of reunion," Aniszfeld said.
Hydrocarbons research accounts for 95 percent of the energy in the world, said Surya Prakash, an LHI professor ana a former student of Olah.
Prakash said that he organized the symposium to honor Olah.
The symposium was also a chance for scientists to present published and unpublished work in the field of hydrocarbon research. The featured speakers were Olah, graduates ana others who have collaborated with Olah over the years, Aniszfeld said.
"I consider them my other family,” Olah said.
Over the years, the LHI has produced over 1,000 scientific publications, and the faculty has written over 50 patents, Aniszfeld said. The university collects royalties from the patents, he added, but he could not comment on how much money they generate.
The Donald P. & Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, the official name of the center, was named in appreciation of the Lokers' donations to the program. It was established in 1977, and the current facility housing the institute was opened in 1979. The latest addi-(See Loker, page 3)
An illustrated man
Daniaa CaataAon / Daily Trojan
Ray Bradbury, author of “The Illustrated Man” and "Driving Blind,” signs books at the bookstore Wednesday.
Club aims to improve speaking skills
By Joy C. Shaw
Staff Writer
The newly formed USC Toastmasters Club, supported by the Marshall School of Business, will hold its first meeting today at 11:45 a.m. in Hoffman Hall, room 405, for students and faculty who are interested in improving their public speaking skills.
The club is affiliated with Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational cor-oration based in Rancho Santa argarita, Calif., with more than 8,000 clubs around the world. Its aim is to
Indian Professional Toastmasters in Buena Park, Calif.', and an occasional television actor, said he started to organize the club at USC not only because the club in Buena Park was too far away to attend regularly, but
it
pc
M
The biggest problem facing business is (bad) communication ...between employees....
improve communication and leadership skills among the members.
"You will clearly become a better speaker," said Naveen Kanal, a graduate student in business who started the club. "It will keep you lucid."
Kanal, who is also a former member of
DAVE LOGAN faculty adviser
also because a speech club would help the students of the school of Business become more competitive.
Kanal said the club targets mainly stu-
dents and faculty in the School of Business. However, he said that everyone is welcome to attend meetings.
The faculty adviser for the program, Dave Logan, said he firmly believed that good communication skills would solve a lot of - problems, especially in the business world.
"The biggest problem facing business is (bad) communication. ..between employees, between companies," said Logan, an assistant professor of clinical business communication. "If we can solve the problem, a lot can be improved."
"I am really dedicated to making peo-le better speakers," said Logan, who has ur degrees in communication and was a member of Toastmasters in high school and college.
In today's world, Logan said, good communication skills "always reign." Employers
(See Club, page 3)

Thursday December^ 1997 Vol. CXXXII, No. 65
Headlines
Women of Troy to face Santa Barbara
After an 84-55 blowout victory over Long Beach State to open the season, the USC women's basketball team faces an upstart UC Santa Barbara team that narrowly upset No. 5 Florida last week.
Sports, page 16
This 'Titanic' won't sink
James Cameron's "Titanic" is one of the most spectacular movies to emerge in recent years, and is unlike other big-budget productions.
Film Editor Scott Foundas reviews the upcoming film.
Diversions, page 7
Finding God with the flip of a coin
Often bordering on harassment, the recruiting tactics of some religious organizations on and off campus have led Viewpoint Writer Christi Schuler to wonder if faith is discovered or sold.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.L
DPS safety escorts, book signing
in support of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Montn, the Department of Public Safety started offering "Operation Santa's Sleigh Ride' this week.
The program in cooperation with L.A. Taxi Co-Op, provides free transportation to members of the university community to their homes if they have nad too much to drink on either of the university's campuses.
For more information, call (213)740-4375.
• ••
James Ragan, USC professor and author of "Womb Weary," "In the Talking Hours" and "The Hunger Wall" will read excerpts from his new book, "Lusions," today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tyler Pavillion in VKC.
A book signing will follow the reading.
For more information, contact the bookstore at (213)740-9030.
Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Campus service groups merge
Consolidation expected to cut costs, improve coordination between university departments
By Daniel Pasquini
Staff Writer
In an attempt to save money and improve usage efficiency, the telecommunications, university libraries and computing services departments have agreed to merge and consolidate into one department, the Information Services Division.
The merger, already in progress, should take full effect
by the middle of next semester, said Jerry Campbell, chief information officer of the Information Services Division.
Campbell said that under the new setup, there will be less duplicated work, no new employees and more coordination, therefore creating more efficiency and budget savings.
"Under the current setup, the division between the units was firm," Campbell said. "If you
needed two units, you were kind of on your own to coordinate it."
One of the improvements of the new organization is that students will nave to call only one telephone number for help rather than two or more. The one call would then be directed to the proper department, Campbell said. The new campus number will be in operation next semester when the division is complete.
Jim Pepin, executive director of University Computing Services, referred to the new organization as a "unified front of nelping people out with infor-
mation employees would have more continuity in their tasks, Pepin said, allowing them
mation." With the merger, infor-
greater opportunity to help students.
At this point, many students are unaware of the change. Mike Choi, a freshman majoring in biology, did not know about the merger, but said, "I hope it makes it easier to figure tnings out and answer all our questions."
Campbell acknowledged that students have had problems and concerns, especially regarding the telecommunications network.
"We hope the only things stu-(Scf Merge, page 3)
Hydrocarbon institute celebrates 20th anniversary
By Chris Dcnina
Staff Writor
The Loker Hydrocarbon Institute (LHI), part of the university's chemistry department, celebrated its 20th anniversary recently in a two-day scientific symposium at the Davidson Conference Center. Over 300 scientists attended the event, an LHI spokesman said.
The event also celebrated the 70th birthday of Dr. George Olah, director of the institute and winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize for his work with hydrocarbons. Many who attended came from Japan, Germany and Australia, said Robert Aniszfeld, associate director of LHI.
Many of the 300 doctoral and post-doctoral students who were taught by Olah and have since graduated were invited to attend.
"They're here as a sort of reunion," Aniszfeld said.
Hydrocarbons research accounts for 95 percent of the energy in the world, said Surya Prakash, an LHI professor ana a former student of Olah.
Prakash said that he organized the symposium to honor Olah.
The symposium was also a chance for scientists to present published and unpublished work in the field of hydrocarbon research. The featured speakers were Olah, graduates ana others who have collaborated with Olah over the years, Aniszfeld said.
"I consider them my other family,” Olah said.
Over the years, the LHI has produced over 1,000 scientific publications, and the faculty has written over 50 patents, Aniszfeld said. The university collects royalties from the patents, he added, but he could not comment on how much money they generate.
The Donald P. & Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, the official name of the center, was named in appreciation of the Lokers' donations to the program. It was established in 1977, and the current facility housing the institute was opened in 1979. The latest addi-(See Loker, page 3)
An illustrated man
Daniaa CaataAon / Daily Trojan
Ray Bradbury, author of “The Illustrated Man” and "Driving Blind,” signs books at the bookstore Wednesday.
Club aims to improve speaking skills
By Joy C. Shaw
Staff Writer
The newly formed USC Toastmasters Club, supported by the Marshall School of Business, will hold its first meeting today at 11:45 a.m. in Hoffman Hall, room 405, for students and faculty who are interested in improving their public speaking skills.
The club is affiliated with Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational cor-oration based in Rancho Santa argarita, Calif., with more than 8,000 clubs around the world. Its aim is to
Indian Professional Toastmasters in Buena Park, Calif.', and an occasional television actor, said he started to organize the club at USC not only because the club in Buena Park was too far away to attend regularly, but
it
pc
M
The biggest problem facing business is (bad) communication ...between employees....
improve communication and leadership skills among the members.
"You will clearly become a better speaker," said Naveen Kanal, a graduate student in business who started the club. "It will keep you lucid."
Kanal, who is also a former member of
DAVE LOGAN faculty adviser
also because a speech club would help the students of the school of Business become more competitive.
Kanal said the club targets mainly stu-
dents and faculty in the School of Business. However, he said that everyone is welcome to attend meetings.
The faculty adviser for the program, Dave Logan, said he firmly believed that good communication skills would solve a lot of - problems, especially in the business world.
"The biggest problem facing business is (bad) communication. ..between employees, between companies," said Logan, an assistant professor of clinical business communication. "If we can solve the problem, a lot can be improved."
"I am really dedicated to making peo-le better speakers," said Logan, who has ur degrees in communication and was a member of Toastmasters in high school and college.
In today's world, Logan said, good communication skills "always reign." Employers
(See Club, page 3)